How do I turn off live photos on my Pixel 9 Pro?
To turn off "live photos" on your Pixel 9 Pro, you will need to disable the Top Shot feature within your camera settings, as Top Shot is the Pixel's equivalent functionality that captures moments around your main photo.
While iPhones feature "Live Photos," Google Pixel devices utilize a similar, intelligent feature called Top Shot. This feature automatically captures a quick burst of photos before and after you press the shutter button, using AI to suggest the best frame from the sequence. This ensures you don't miss the perfect moment, even if someone blinks or moves.
When users refer to "live photos" on a Pixel, they are typically referring to this Top Shot functionality due to its similar behavior of capturing more than just a single still frame. Disabling Top Shot will result in your camera taking a single, standard photo when you press the shutter button.
Here's a quick overview of how Top Shot affects your photos:
| Setting | Photo Capture Behavior | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Top Shot On | Captures a burst of frames around your main shot. | Helps select the best possible moment from a sequence. |
| Top Shot Off | Captures a single still photo exactly when the shutter is pressed. | Provides a straightforward, single-frame capture. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Top Shot (Live Photos) on Pixel 9 Pro
Follow these simple steps to turn off the Top Shot feature on your Pixel 9 Pro:
- Open the Camera App: Locate and tap the camera icon on your Pixel 9 Pro's home screen or app drawer to launch the camera application.
- Ensure "Photo" Mode is Highlighted: At the bottom of the camera interface, confirm that the "Photo" shooting mode is selected. This is the default mode for taking standard pictures.
- Access Camera Settings: Look for the gear icon (settings icon) usually located in the bottom-left corner of the camera interface and tap it. This will open a menu of camera options.
- Find "Top Shot" Option: Within the settings menu, scroll or navigate to find the "Top Shot" option.
- Disable Top Shot: Next to the "Top Shot" option, you will see several icons. To disable Top Shot, click the leftmost icon, which typically resembles a "prohibited" symbol (a circle with a diagonal line through it) or a crossed-out circle. This action will turn off Top Shot, ensuring your photos are no longer captured in a burst.
Once disabled, your Pixel 9 Pro will capture only a single still image each time you press the shutter button, providing a more traditional photography experience.
